Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1887-11-18
WASHINGTON LETTER.
tFrom our Regular correspondcnt.)
WASHINGTON. Nov. Is, 1887.

w NOV. 10, 1901.
One of the most notable characters that
can be seen nearly every day upon the
beautiful drive to the Soldiers Home, is
the historian Bancroft. He is nearly
ninety years OF age, but can ride his horse
as gracefully as dashing Brgadier.
Every day lie devotes certain hours to
labor on his exhsusting history OF the Uni
ted States, and then mounts lils horse and
with his valet a few rods in the rear, goes
| flying into the country for recreation.
There is something remarkable in his per-
sonal appearance. Tall and straight, long
white hair hanging to his shoulders, thin
face with full beard, and head covered
with an ordinary cloth cap with an unu-
sually large vizor. All delight in doing
him honor, and point with pride 10 the
great literary achievements of the grand
old American.
| never knew until the other day how
they tested concrete foundation, nnd was
greatly interested In the experiment ]
witnessed nj the new Congregational Libra.
ry site. You know that is TO be an i'm
mense structure, and must have a good
foundation. They will use there over
10000 barrels of cement. The ground on
which the concrete ia laid is required to
stand pressure of two and hall tons TO
the square foot. Now in making these
tests the process IL this: four short iron
pillars are placed on the ground about
four ieet apart. These are exactly one
foot square at the bottom, and resting on
these are two iron rods about n loot In
height, on which is a Hat car loaded with
thirty tons OF pig iron, and their weight
being equally divided between the four
quare foot covered by the iron pillars,
solves the problem. Everything used in
this building will be subjected to lhe
severest test and when completed will be
the finest structure on this continent, if not
the wide world.
Several weeks ago alluded TO the Bit
ter feeling existing in the Interior Nnparl
ment regarding Land CO f. 's-,uner
Sparks, and predicted his re 80. or
dismissal. The quarrel has reached the
eliminating point, and Secretary Lamar
says in long letter that either himself or
Sparks must 60. 1t will be Sparks. The
Post, the Administration organ here, says:
ale is probably the most unpopular Off
cial in the Government. II little which he
has earned by strict attention to The busi-
ness Of making himself unpopular. His
dismissal will rejoice thousands Of the
honest land settlers Of the great West. who
have been most slamefully outraged by
his unjust decisions and unwise inlerler.
ence. Let Sparks go back 10 the shade;
he never should have been dug mp.
Congress sometimes makes the most
egregious blunders. Lust winter they
passed IAN Act to reslrict the owership of
real estate in the Territories TO American
citizens" and have Just discovered that in
the body of the Act the District of Conm-
ba is also included, this will preclude
even foreign legations from owning more
real estate in Washington, which certain
ly was never intended unless by the crafty
politician who drew the bill. Several
Congressman have been interviewed, who
express their Ignorance Of such legislation
until shown the Act, which OF course will
be speedily amended. But then IL shows
how careless even our law makers are.
The Department OF Agriculture has
gathered some very instructive and sug-
gesuve statistics. There was planted this
year l34. 600, 900 bushels, 10000 900 eas
Than last year. Other figures are being
tabulnled at the Department, and will be
ilemized IN subsequent lelters.
All concede that The late elections settle
beyond question the denomination Of
President Cleveland, hut how it will Effect
the second on The ticket is not quite clear.
Gen. Blacks boom has pretty much sub
sided. That OF Gen. Villas is looking up
a lille. Southern men say they do not
ask or want II, and are willing Il should
60 10 the Wesi, but want no soldier. An
In diana civilian stands the best chance,
md the one most likely TO carry that
State will win The prize.